>>> Item number 26302 from WRITERS LOG9402D --- (112 records) ---- <<<
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 18:35:01 JST
Reply-To: WRITERS
Sender: WRITERS
From: Mike Barker
Subject: TECH: A Writer's Guide to Watching the Tube
(maybe it's an essay?)
I noticed that we've hit again the topic of that evil little box lurking
in the corner of most homes (if not occupying a central shrine where the
devotees gather for regular services). Not to argue with anyone, but I
do have a few thoughts on the topic.
(what! the overall level of writing, characters - if you can call them
that -, the plotting, etc. STINKS!)
true. there are occasional exceptions - perhaps even a higher
percentage than in printed novels, for example - but in general, true.
Don't watch the tube to learn good writing.
One hesitation - advertising tends to be extraordinarily effective in
terms of catching the listener and getting a message across. Sometimes
it is worth studying.
And there was a flash in the corner of my eye - oh, yes. Some of the
visual hints - how they establish a scene, a mood, an identity through
the details shown sometimes is quite good (even in poorly written
shows). Worth a look or two...
But, in general, you are absolutely correct - the level of T.V.
broadcasting doesn't provide a very challenging target in terms of story
handling technique.
(do you really think it's safe for people to waste hours and years of
their life as passive addicts of mindless entertainment and
stimulation? That damn noisy box sucks!)
true. even the roman circuses had to stop regularly for food,
collecting more Christians, sleep for the lions, and so on. the tube,
with vcr, cable, and other technological boosts, can easily absorb all
the time you are willing to give it.
(well, then - be like Elvis and pop the tube!)
no. Elvis wanted to run and hide, and did. But writers can't afford
that luxury.
The T.V. can be a magic window opening on far places, news, sights and
sounds around the world, and the person next door. In that role, it is
indispensable to the modern writer.
Further, the T.V. is, in some ways, the "Bible" of modern culture - the
"common cultural background" which the writer needs to be
well-acquainted with to extract metaphors, similes, and other items to
touch the larger audience. It doesn't matter whether you use them as is
or break them for shock or schlock - you have to know them to use them
effectively.
Also, the T.V. is part of the cultural explosion reaching those who
aren't in the heart of the beast. We saw a recent documentary of a
Japanese man who went up the Amazon and into the life of an Indian tribe
far from everything. Only 71 members left alive, and the biggest killer
is the common cold! Lots of interesting little facts and sights, but
one of the most impressive to me was what they recommended this modern
day adventurer take as presents for the tribe. Videotape movies.
That night, under the huge roof, the head of the tribe fired up a gas
generator, turned on their T.V. set, and showed them one of the new
movies - a shipwreck disaster flick (not sure which one - I missed the
name and they all look alike...). Utter silence, intense little eyes
and older ones clustered around, watching and learning about the big
world out there...
One of those kids may be one of your readers in years to come. And
they'll know what you are talking about because you share the same
culture of the tube!
Even closer to home - while there have been attempts to "standardize"
curricula in the schools, I think the strongest homogenizing factor is
that dratted tube. Fads, catchy phrases, and so on spread remarkably
quickly now - at least in part because someone is watching that escape
hatch from the narrowness and smallness of local reality.
(what, you want me to spend all my time in a daze watching the tube?
when do I write?)
no. consider the t.v. as a magic window, opening up the heart and soul
of ordinary life and ordinary people for you. What you find there may
be appalling, even shocking, but don't break the window. Pull back the
curtains now and then and glance into it, gaze at some parts and steal
some notions of what the backstreets of Los Angeles look like, then
close the curtains again and get back to work with a wider knowledge of
what's out there than you can get without taking advantage of the
technology.
I hate to say it, but those one or two hour vacations by tele-vision to
the other side of the world are a lot cheaper when you take them on the
public tour. Admittedly, you can't stop and walk aside, or ask
questions while the tour director is running their mouth - but with a
vcr, you can stop and look at details, and you really don't have to take
the whole trip... I've become cunning about cutting the sound if I just
want to watch the background and people, and don't really care what the
idiot commentary is.
The tool isn't the problem - don't break the telescope just because
your neighbors insist on watching girls through it. keep your eye on
the glimpses of beach and ocean, the sea waves curling in the
background, and the dolphins dancing... that's a pretty wonderful
telescope to play with!
(stay tuned - more after this commercial break!:-)
tink